Azerbaijan Arrests Russian State Journalists

story

JUL 1

Above: An illustration of Sputnik's logo, March 2022. Image copyright: Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

story last updated JUL 1

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

Azerbaijan's actions against Sputnik reflect necessary sovereignty protection. The Baku office functioned as an intelligence outpost, not legitimate journalism, undermining media independence. While press freedom matters, national security against foreign interference is paramount in the midst of violence against ethnic Azerbaijanis in Russia.

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Pro-Russia narrative

Azerbaijan's raid on Russian journalists represents a dangerous escalation of tension. The arrests treated legitimate reporters as criminals despite both nations remaining in negotiations over Sputnik's future and no formal prohibition being received. This is nothing more than a calculated move to damage Russian-Azerbaijani relations over unrelated criminal investigations.

RT Sputnik International